The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood has completed the distribution of $70 million in state funding that was allocated in the most recently enacted state budget for bonus payments to the staff of child care and early childhood education providers statewide in Connecticut. The initiative, known as Wage Supports for Early Childhood Educators, is intended to help stabilize the child care industry and support its workforce. Approximately 21,000 early childhood educators and staff statewide are receiving the bonus payments.